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Taiwan’s highest-level crafts competition kicks off

  • Date:2013-03-27

The 2013 Taiwan Crafts Competition organized by the National Taiwan Craft Research and Development Institute, an agency subordinate to the Ministry of Culture, will accept artwork submissions until June 5.


The annual competition, which was established to honor master Taiwanese craftspeople, is organized to demonstrate traditional craft skills and encourage innovation. The objective is to enhance quality of life and culture and to promote the development of craft culture industries.


This year, the competition is conducted in two categories - traditional crafts and innovative designs.


This year's theme for innovative designs is "art for the waiting space” in such places as banks, bus stations or hospitals. Participants in the category are required to create according to the theme. Examples include an utensil, furnishing accessory or furniture that will transform a public waiting space into a pleasant place that helps people relax while waiting. No theme is set for competition in the traditional craft category.


The evaluation criteria for traditional craftworks are "cultural characteristics,” "complexity of skills and techniques” and "aesthetics of design.” The criteria for innovative designs are "originality,” "functions,” "aesthetics” and "market potential.”


Three top winners as well as eight and nine excellent works will be selected respectively from the two categories. And the three top winners will receive a trophy and prize money of NT$500,000, NT$400,000 and NT$300,000, while each excellent works will get NT$50,000 and a certificate of merit.


In addition, Shin Kong Mitsukoshi, a department store chain that sponsors the competition, will award a special prize to the traditional craft category, with the winner receiving NT$500,000 and a trophy.


The competition is open to all local individuals and groups. The previous winning works include the crafts fields of pottery, stone carving, bamboo and vine weaving as well as silk weaving.